Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

Optical articles that include adhesive lightguides having resonant
circuits and one or more light sources are described. More particularly,
optical articles having resonant circuits that, upon a triggering event,
cause the one or more light source to emit light into the adhesive
lightguide such that light is transported within the lightguide by total
internal reflection are described. Additionally, applications and
embodiments that include such optical articles are described.

Claims:

1. An optical article, comprising: an adhesive lightguide including one
or more light sources and a resonant circuit; wherein upon a triggering
event, the resonant circuit causes the light source to emit light into
the adhesive lightguide such that the light is transported within the
lightguide by total internal reflection until being extracted.

2. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit is
capable of being powered by a series of electromagnetic waves.

3. The optical article of claim 2, wherein the series of electromagnetic
waves contain encoded data.

7. The optical article of claim 2, wherein the series of electromagnetic
waves are radio waves.

8. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit includes
a NFC receiver.

9. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit includes
an RFID receiver.

10. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit includes
a transmitter.

11. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit includes
a processor.

12. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the triggering event is
reaching a threshold current in the resonant circuit.

13. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the triggering event is the
resonant circuit confirming that a transaction is valid.

14. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the triggering event is the
resonant circuit confirming that a transaction is invalid.

15. The optical article of claim 13 or 14, wherein the transaction is a
secure transaction.

16. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the adhesive lightguide
includes a plurality of extraction features.

17. The optical article of claim 1, further comprising a first substrate
disposed on a first major surface of the adhesive lightguide.

18. The optical article of claim 16, further comprising a second
substrate disposed on a second major surface of the adhesive lightguide.

19. The optical article of claim 17, wherein one or both of the first
substrate and the second substrate is a cladding layer.

20. The optical article of claim 16, wherein the first substrate includes
a graphic.

21. A casino chip, comprising the optical article of claim 1.

22. A casino plaque, comprising the optical article of claim 1.

23. A credit card, comprising the optical article of claim 1.

24. A label, comprising the optical article of claim 1.

25. A product, comprising the label of claim 24.

26. An ink cartridge, comprising the label of claim 24.

Description:

[0001] Remotely powered lightguides, such as those described in PCT
Publication WO 2011/053804 A2 are useful in many applications. Because
there is no need to store an internal power supply, devices including
such lightguides can provide illumination over an extended lifetime,
without being limited by a battery or the like. As many are controlled by
the presence or absence of power, transmitted through electromagnetic
waves, interesting and aesthetically pleasing dynamic displays may be
created by simply controlling the electromagnetic waves.

BACKGROUND

Summary

[0002] In one aspect, the present disclosure describes an optical article
including an adhesive lightguide including one or more light sources and
a resonant circuit, where upon a triggering event, the resonant circuit
causes the light source to emit light into the adhesive lightguide such
that light is transported within the lightguide by total internal
reflection until being extracted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view of the basic principles of an
adhesive lightguide.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating the currently disclosed resonant
circuit.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting the operation of the resonant
circuit of FIG. 2.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation view of an adhesive lightguide and
the resonant circuit of FIG. 2.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation view of an optical stack including
the adhesive lightguide and the resonant circuit of FIG. 4.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a credit card including the
adhesive lightguide and resonant circuit of FIG. 4.

[0009] FIG. 7. is a top perspective view of a casino chip including the
adhesive lightguide and resonant circuit of FIG. 4.

[0010] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a product label including the
adhesive lightguide and resonant circuit of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Adhesive lightguides are desirable in many applications,
particularly those where thinness, low weight, and flexibility may be
advantageous. Adhesive lightguides are also useful because adhesive
layers are already present in many configurations; in other words, they
may be incorporated into existing designs to add illumination without
considerable redesign or modification, even maintaining the overall
appearance of the existing design.

[0012] Lightguides in general can provide smooth and uniform illumination,
spreading light from one or more sources across a relatively large
surface. Light is generally transported within the lightguide through
total internal reflection (TIR), reflecting until extracted or escaping
through a surface of the lightguide. To preserve TIR within the
lightguide, the surfaces of a lightguide are often in optical contact
with a lower refractive index material or coating, or simply with air
(having, by definition, an index of refraction of 1.0).

[0013] FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view showing the general principles
of an adhesive lightguide. Adhesive lightguide 110 forms top interface
112 and bottom interface 114 with surrounding air. One or more light
sources 120 injects ray 122 into the lightguide.

[0014] Adhesive lightguide 110 may be generally formed from any suitable
adhesive. The size or three-dimensional shape of adhesive lightguide 110
is not particularly limited and may be modified or selected depending on
the desired application. The adhesive lightguide may include, for
example, hot melt adhesives or curable adhesives. In some embodiments,
adhesive lightguide 110 may include a viscoelastic material or be a
viscoelastic lightguide.

[0015] Viscoelastic materials, in general, exhibit both elastic and
viscous behavior when undergoing deformation. Exhibiting elastic
characteristics refers to the ability of a material to return to its
original shape after a transient load is removed. One measure of the
elasticity of a material is referred to as the tensile set value, which
is a function of the elongation remaining after the material has been
stretched and subsequently allowed to recover (destretch) under the same
conditions under which it was stretched. If a material has a tensile set
value of 0%, then it has returned to its original length upon relaxation,
whereas if the tensile set value is 100%, then the material is twice its
original length upon relaxation. Tensile set values may be measured using
ASTM D412. Useful viscoelastic materials may have tensile set values
anywhere from 10% to 70%.

[0016] Viscous materials that are Newtonian liquids have viscous
characteristics that obey Newton's law, which states that stress
increases linearly with shear gradient. A liquid does not recover its
shape as the shear gradient is removed. Viscous characteristics of useful
viscoelastic materials include flowability of the material under
reasonable temperatures such that the material does not decompose.

[0017] The viscoelastic lightguide may have properties that facilitate
sufficient contact or wetting with at least a portion of a material
designed to extract light from the lightguide, such that the viscoelastic
lightguide and the material are optically coupled. Light can then be
extracted from the viscoelastic lightguide. Viscoelastic lightguides are
generally soft, compliant, and flexible. Thus, the lightguide may have an
elastic modulus (or storage modulus G') such that sufficient contact can
be obtained, and a viscous modulus (or loss modulus G'') such that the
layer does not flow undesirably, and a damping coefficient (G''/G', tan
D) for the relative degree of damping of the layer. Useful viscoelastic
materials may have a storage modulus of less than about 300,000 Pa,
measured at 10 rad/sec and a temperature of from about 20° to
22° C. Viscoelastic properties of materials can be measured using
dynamic mechanical analysis according to, for example, ASTM D4065, D4440,
and D5279.

[0018] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic lightguide includes a
pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) as described in the Dahlquist criterion
line (as described in the Handbook of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive
Technology, 2nd Ed., D. Satas, ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York,
1989). PSAs are useful for adhering together adherends and exhibit
properties such as aggressive and permanent tack, adherence with no more
than finger pressure, sufficient ability to hold onto an adherend, and
sufficient cohesive strength to be cleanly removable from the adherend.
Materials found to function well as PSAs are polymers designed and
formulated to exhibit the requisite viscoelastic properties resulting in
a desired balance of tack, peel adhesion, and shear holding power.

[0019] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic lightguide includes natural
rubber-based or synthetic rubber-based PSAs, thermoplastic elastomers,
tackified thermoplastic-epoxy derivatives such as, for example, is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,394 (Ylitalo et al.), polyurethane
derivatives as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,712
(Tushaus), polyurethane acrylate derivatives as described in, for
example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0216523 A1 (Takaki), silicone
PSAs such as polydiorganosiloxanes, polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamides,
and silicone urea block copolymers as described, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,214,119 (Leir et al.). In some embodiments, the viscoelastic
lightguide includes a clear acrylic PSA, for example, those available as
transfer tapes such as VHB® Acrylic Tape 4910F from 3M Company and
3M® Optically Clear Laminating Adhesives (8140 and 8180 series). In
some embodiments, the viscoelastic lightguide may be stretch releasable
or repositionable.

[0020] Adhesive lightguide 110 may have any suitable index of refraction.
In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to use an adhesive with a
high index of refraction, because then a wider range of materials may be
used as the lower index of refraction cladding layers, to reflect light
being transported within adhesive lightguide 110 through TIR. Adhesive
lightguide 110 may also have its materials selected as not to be
electrically conductive to avoid shorting an embedded circuit or
electronic components. Adhesive lightguide 110 may include extraction
features either near top interface 112 or bottom interface 114. The
extraction features may be any suitable shape or size, and may either
divert light being transported within the adhesive lightguide to
alternative paths where it may be extracted, or provide canted features
which modify the incidence angle of light on either top interface 112 or
bottom interface 114. In other words, extraction features may be any
known structures which frustrate total internal reflection and cause
light to be extracted through a surface of adhesive lightguide 110.

[0021] One or more light sources 120 may be any suitable configuration or
combination of light sources, including light emitting diodes (LEDs) and
organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Depending on the application,
compact cold fluorescent lights or incandescent lights may also be used.
One or more light sources 120 may include LEDs emitting in any desirable
wavelength range, including a combination of wavelengths to create the
appearance of white light. Some of one or more light sources 120 may
include phosphors or other down converting coatings or layers in order to
achieve a desired light spectrum. In some embodiments, one or more light
sources 120 may include collimating (LEDs, for example, generally emit a
Lambertian distribution of light) or light injection optics to minimize
Fresnel reflection at any refractive index transition as light from one
or more light sources 120 enters the lightguide. Generally, one or more
light sources 120 is placed at an edge or side of adhesive lightguide
110, though in some embodiments it may be desirable to include one or
more light sources 120 in adhesive lightguide 110 for ease of injection
with little loss. Incorporating one or more light sources 120 in adhesive
lightguide 110 may also facilitate easy application of an entire system,
requiring only application of adhesive lightguide 110 to create an
operative embodiment. Incorporating one or more light source 120 into
adhesive lightguide 110 may include either embedding one or more light
sources 120 directly in the adhesive or using a removed portion of the
adhesive to house one or more light sources 120.

[0022] One or more light sources 120 emit ray 122 which enters adhesive
lightguide 110 and is transported within the lightguide through total
internal reflection--here, between top interface 112 and bottom interface
114. For purposes of this disclosure, transported through TIR means kept
within the adhesive lightguide until it is extracted. Ray 122 is incident
on top interface 112 as subcritical light; that is, the angle of
incidence between ray 122 and the top surface of adhesive lightguide 110
is less than the critical angle determined by the difference in
refractive indices between adhesive lightguide 110 and whatever material
(including, for example, air) is on the other side of top interface 112,
and is therefore reflected with minimal loss. Top interface 112 and
bottom interface 114 can be formed between adhesive lightguide 110 and
air, as shown, or they can be formed between adhesive lightguide 110 and
other layers, described in more detail in conjunction with FIG. 5.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary resonant
circuit. Resonant circuit 200 includes receiver 210 which may be adapted
specifically to electromagnetic wave 212 and data 214, capacitor 220,
processor 230, and one or more light sources 240. The components
illustrated should not be understood to be exhaustive, presented only to
provide a general understanding of the operational mechanisms of resonant
circuit 200 and it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art
the alternative configurations, including additional parts such as a
transmitter, or combinations of parts into multifunctional components, is
possible and within the scope of this disclosure.

[0024] Electromagnetic wave 212 and data 214 are similarly shown for ease
of illustration and explanation as two separate waveforms; however, in
some embodiments, data 214 may be superimposed or otherwise encoded in
electromagnetic wave 212. For example, data 214 may exist in modulation
of one or more aspects of electromagnetic wave 212, such as phase
modulation, amplitude modulation, or frequency modulation.
Electromagnetic wave 212 is contemplated as emitted from any suitable
transmitter. Depending on the suitability of significant power usage, the
transmitter may be a short or long distance transmitter, and may transmit
at any suitable power. Electromagnetic wave 212 may have any suitable
frequency or range of frequencies, and, likewise, receiver 210 may be
adapted to introduce electromagnetic wave 212 into resonant circuit 200.

[0025] In some embodiments, receiver 210 may be an antenna, being of
suitable size (coiled or uncoiled) with relation to the frequency of
electromagnetic wave 212. The antenna may be formed of any suitable
material, including materials with good electrical conductance, such as
copper. In some embodiments, receiver 210 may be formed by printing
conductive ink or by etching or patterning on a circuit board. Receiver
210 may, in some embodiments, be part of a chip--for example, an RFID
chip or an NFC chip.

[0026] Capacitor 220 may be formed from any suitable material and may have
any suitable capacitance. Capacitor 220 may be selected based on its
small or compact size or ability to be easily integrated within an
adhesive lightguide or a construction including an adhesive lightguide.
In conjunction with receiver 210, capacitor 220 may be selected to allow
resonant circuit 200 to resonate when exposed to a particular frequency
of electromagnetic wave 212, causing current to flow in the circuit. The
frequency at which this resonance would be greatest is determined from
well-known calculations based on the capacitance of capacitor 220, the
inductance of receiver 210, and the characteristics of the circuit, for
example, taking into account any included resistors or simply inherent
electrical impedance. In some embodiments, the inherent capacitance of an
attached LED may function as a capacitor.

[0027] Processor 230 is generalized in FIG. 2 and may in fact be any
suitable chip, electronic component, logic gate, or a combination
thereof. In some embodiments, processor 230 may act as or contain a
switch that allows current to flow into one or more light sources 240.
Processor 230 may require power to operate and therefore may depend on
current flow introduced into resonant circuit 200 by receiver 210
accepting electromagnetic wave 212. In other embodiments, processor 230
may contain an internal (or built-in) capacitor which may store charge
while resonant circuit 200 is made to resonate, later selectively
discharging the stored energy through one or more light sources 240.
Processor 230 may include a transmitter, which may transmit data or other
information, depending on the desired application. Processor 230 may be
configured to provide two-way communication capacity. In some
embodiments, in acting as a switch, processor 230 may measure, check, or
verify any number of properties. For example, processor 230 may detect
data 214 and respond by closing the switch to one of more light sources
240, allowing current to flow through the LED and causing it to emit
light. In some embodiments, processor 230 may interpret or measure data
214; for example, processor 230 may close the switch to one of more light
sources 240 after processor 230 detects data 214 for a certain period of
time or after receiving a particular sequence or, in some embodiments, a
passcode encoded in data 214. Though data 214 is depicted similarly to
electromagnetic wave 212, the two are not necessarily both
electromagnetic waves. In fact, data 214 may be information capable of
being communicated or received by processor 230 through any suitable
means. For example, data 214 may represent a level or current, a duration
of the presence of current, or a physical interaction with the system,
such as a touch or vibration, ambient conditions, such as temperature or
orientation. The triggering event for closing the switch or releasing a
charge in processor is not limited and may be suitably configured
depending on the desired application. Further examples of triggering
events and configurations are provided in conjunction with FIGS. 6, 7,
and 8.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the general operational
algorithm of the resonant circuit illustrated in FIG. 2. Ultimately the
algorithm results in emission of light, 330, or no emission of light,
340. First, resonant circuit, for example, resonant circuit 200 in FIG.
2, must be activated or powered, for example, by electromagnetic wave
212. If resonant circuit is not powered, the result is no emission of
light, 340. Secondarily, the triggering event must occur. Without the
triggering event, there is no emission of light, 340. Further, it is
important that the triggering event is separate and distinct from the
mere powering of the resonant circuit. If both these conditions are met,
there is emission of light, 330. In some embodiments, this order of steps
is less strict. For example, if processor 220 in FIG. 2 is adapted to
receive and store charge when resonant circuit 200 is activated, then the
triggering event may cause emission of light, 330, without the additional
condition, 310, of the powering of the resonant circuit being met at the
same time. Further, processor 230 as depicted in FIG. 2 may cause the one
or more light sources to emit light in a pattern, like, for example, a
strobe, flash, or blinker, where the one or more light sources is not
emitting light for at least a portion of the pattern. In this case,
satisfaction of both conditions 310 and 320 may still be considered to
result in emission of light, 330, regardless of whether actual emission
of light is happening at a given moment.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation view of system 400 including an
adhesive lightguide and the resonant circuit of FIG. 2. Resonant circuit
410 is simplified in this figure and may be understood to include all of
the electronic components depicted in resonant circuit 200 in FIG. 2. One
or more light sources 420, however, is depicted separately. Upon
receiving electromagnetic wave 412 and data 414, resonant circuit 410
causes one or more light sources 420 to emit light into adhesive
lightguide 430. Light 422 is transported within adhesive lightguide 430
through TIR, being totally internally reflected at high-to-low index
interfaces such as top interface 432. System 400 can be adapted for use
to provide light after a triggering event, provided electromagnetic wave
412 is sufficient to power resonant circuit 410.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation view of an optical stack including
the adhesive lightguide and resonant circuit of FIG. 4. System 500
includes resonant circuit 510, one or more light sources 520, and optical
stack 530, which includes adhesive lightguide 540, optional bottom layers
550 and optional top layers 560. Resonant circuit 510 and one or more
light sources 520 are described in FIGS. 1 and 2 and their corresponding
descriptions. Similarly, adhesive light guide is described in FIGS. 1 and
4 and their corresponding descriptions. Optical stack 530 may include any
number of layers, films, coatings or adhesives in order to create a
desired optical effect or achieve a desired optical performance. The
terms top and bottom with reference to optional layers 550 and 560 are
based on their relative position in FIG. 5 for the ease of explanation,
however, unless described features are explicitly restricted to one of
the layers, the description of either is interchangeable with the other.
Further, although each of optional bottom layers 550 and optional top
layers 560 are depicted as a single monolithic layer, the skilled artisan
will understand that each may represent one or more layers, films,
coatings, or adhesive layers--even hundreds--limited only by the
tolerable thickness and optical performance.

[0031] One or more of optional layers 550 and 560 may include substrate
layers. Substrate layers may be any suitable thickness and be formed from
any suitable material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), or
polycarbonate (PC). Substrate layers may be used to provide dimensional
stability, warp resistance, or provide optical separation between layers.
In some embodiments, substrate layers may be optically inert, intended to
minimally affect light passing through and instead providing thickness or
durability. In some embodiments, substrates may be used to improve
adherence of adjacent layers.

[0032] One or more of optional layers 550 and 560 may also be a prism
film. Such films may help collimate output light in one or more
directions through refraction and total internal reflection interactions
between the light and the prism layers. Many prism films are commercially
available and may be incorporated into optical stack 530, such as
Brightness Enhancing Film (BEF), available from 3M Company, St. Paul,
Minn. The prisms may have any suitable pitch and size, and may be any
suitable shape, including triangular, rounded, triangular with
anti-wetout tips, or even randomized or pseudo-randomized.

[0033] The optional layers may include a light redirecting film or turning
film. Turning films may be useful for changing the angle of output light.
For example, light incident normally on a turning film may be outputted
by the film on average at, for example, 70° from the surface. The
index of refraction may be selected in order to balance the optimal
optical turning effect with Fresnel reflection.

[0034] The optional layers may also include skin layers, or in some
embodiments strippable skin layers. Such layers may provide protection to
components of optical stack 530 during transportation, manufacturing,
storage or assembly. These layers may be removable (or strippable) for
final application.

[0035] One or more of optional layers may be a multilayer optical film
(MOF), including a reflective polarizer (such as DBEF, available from 3M
Company, St. Paul, Minn.), a transflector, or a mirror film (such as ESR,
available from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.). Such films may be
advantageous by providing excellent optical performance combined with
thin, lightweight constructions. A mirror film may be useful in optical
stack 530 by allowing light headed in undesirable directions to be
redirected with minimal absorptive loss. Mirror films may be useful in
light recycling cavities, allowing light traveling in non-preferential
directions to be reflected and redirected until it emerges in a preferred
direction. The films may include extraction features such as printed dots
to provide a desired specularity (or diffuseness) for the reflection
pattern. In some embodiments, the optional layers may include a
retroreflective film or retroreflective portions. These retroreflective
films and retroreflective portions may be useful in creating a virtual
image, or a three-dimensional effect where an image appears to float
above the surface of optical stack 530.

[0036] Optional layers may include an optically clear adhesive, including
UV curable adhesives, hot melt adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives,
or any other suitable adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive may
include particles to diffuse light, resulting in increased uniformity or
defect hiding. The adhesives may also include pigments to impart a color
when illuminated or provide an interesting off-state for system 500.

[0037] In some embodiments, optical stack 530 may include one or more
coatings. Coatings may provide desired features or optical function, for
example, anti-static coatings, anti-wetout coatings, anti-reflective
coatings, anti-glare coatings, or scratch resistant coatings. In some
embodiments, the coatings may have a low refractive index to promote
total internal reflection within adjacent layers. In some embodiments,
the coatings may include fumed silica or a nanovoided polymeric material.

[0038] Optional layers may include a diffuser, including bulk or volume
diffusers or structural diffusers. Diffusers may contribute to the
uniformity of output light and hide defects, such as scratches or wetted
out portions of adjacent layers where total internal reflection is
frustrated or defeated.

[0039] Optical stack 530 may include a black out film that includes an
optically opaque layer to limit the light passing through the film. The
film may cover only a portion of optical stack 530, resulting in
selective extraction of light in an interesting pattern or shape.
Similarly, optical stack 530 may include a graphic film. The graphic film
may be selectively embossed or pigmented to provide different colors or
brightness in different regions. For example, when illuminated, graphic
film may reveal a logo, pattern, or graphic that was otherwise invisible
or difficult to detect by a viewer. In some embodiments, the graphic may
have a different appearance with and without illumination. In some
embodiments, instead of being translucent or transparent, the graphic
film produces the appearance of an image by being selectively reflective.

[0040] The overall shape of optical stack 530 is not particularly limited
and may have any suitable curved, polygonal, or three-dimensional areal
shape (from, for example, a top plan view). In some embodiments, the
areal shape of optical stack 530 may resemble a logo.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a credit card including the
adhesive lightguide and resonant circuit of FIG. 4. Credit card 600
includes these as part of a system corresponding to system 500 of FIG. 5
including an optical stack corresponding to optical stack 530 of FIG. 5.
In some embodiments, the adhesive lightguide and resonant circuit may be
easily incorporated into credit card 600 because the standard design
already includes an adhesive. As depicted in, for example, FIG. 3, credit
card 600 may be illuminated when the included resonant circuit receives
electromagnetic waves and a triggering event occurs. The triggering event
is not intended to be limited by this description, but some particularly
appropriate triggering events for an embodiment functioning as a credit
card may include confirmation of a transaction, confirmation that a
transaction is secure, confirmation that a vendor's system is secure,
confirmation that communication has been established, indication of low
balance, indication of an expired or near-expired card, or indication
that a card has been reported stolen. For the purposes of this
description, the term credit card is not limited to traditional credit
cards but may be considered to include debit cards, prepaid cards, phone
cards, casino player cards, ID cards, access cards, or any other card
where the card contains information linked to the bearer or giving the
bearer certain rights or privileges. For example, a casino card for a
frequent player may illuminate when nearby certain types of games that
the player enjoys, or it may glow brightly when the player is on a
winning streak, creating a visually appealing feature that may entice the
player to play more games. Any portion of credit card 600 may emit light,
including the edge, or a pattern on the front or back surface, or a
combination of the above.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a casino chip or token. Similar to
the credit card depicted in FIG. 6, chip 700 includes the resonant
circuit and adhesive lightguide of FIG. 4 as part of an optical stack
corresponding to optical stack 530 of FIG. 5. As for credit card 600 in
FIG. 6, chip 700 may selectively be illuminated upon its resonant circuit
receiving appropriate electromagnetic waves and following a triggering
event. Exemplary triggering events include winning a hand, confirming or
entering a bet, or a change in capacitance (touch). These features may
provide an exciting visual component while being hard to replicate or
counterfeit. Illumination can be around an edge, out a major surface, or
both, including illumination in a pattern, shape, or logo. The casino
chip may be in any shape, including a substantially rectangular plaque
which may denote higher denominations. In some embodiments, "casino chip"
can refer to any token or other physical representation of a specific
value or denomination, regardless of whether the chip is used or adapted
to be used in a traditional casino or to specifically represent currency.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a product having a label including
the adhesive lightguide and resonant circuit of FIG. 4. Product 800
includes label 810. The adhesive lightguide and resonant circuit may be
easily incorporated in label 810, which is conventionally attached to
product 800 with an adhesive. Therefore many of the manufacturing and
processing steps for assembling and packaging product 810 may remain
substantially the same. Product 800 may be, for example, a food product,
such as a soup can. In some embodiments, product 800 may be displayed on
a smart shelf, or a shelf that provides electromagnetic waves which can
be received by the resonant circuit. Following a triggering event, one or
more of product 800 may illuminate from its label 810 to draw attention
or indicate information. For example, a shopper may input, through, for
example, a smartphone or interface located on the shelf, a desire to
locate products with certain nutritional characteristics, such as having
less than 100 calories per serving or being low-fat. This query may be
transmitted to the resonant circuit included in the products and may be a
triggering event. As such, only products meeting the criteria may glow,
allowing a shopper to easily identify desired products. In addition to
illumination, product 800 may provide product information through the
transmission of data. In some embodiments, product 800 may be, for
example, an ink cartridge. In this case, the triggering event may be, for
example, being low on ink or being installed in a printer having the same
brand as the ink cartridge's brand. In addition to illumination, product
800 in this case may also provide compatibility information, product
information, or other information through the transmission of data.

[0044] All U.S. patents and patent publications are incorporated by
reference as if fully set forth herein. The present invention should not
be considered limited to the particular examples and embodiments
described above, as such embodiments are described in detail in order to
facilitate explanation of various aspects of the invention. Rather, the
present invention should be understood to cover all aspects of the
invention, including various modifications, equivalent processes, and
alternative devices falling within the scope of the invention as defined
by the appended claims.